WE RISE, WE RESIST, WE RAISE OUR VOICES

Below, the (Cheryl and Wade) Hudsons share why we must stand up for change and spread hope:
“Today, our democracy is under attack and much of the progress to make us more just, fair and inclusive that has been achieved through fierce and dedicated struggle, is in peril. There are those who would make us an even more uncivil and less moral country. They view and use meanness and power to get their way, to try to recreate a world from a bygone era where too many of us were victims and not citizens. In a time such as this, we must rise, resist and raise our voices.
Our young people are not only watching, they are impacted as well by this onslaught. We need to rise, resist and raise our voice not only for ourselves, we need to do it for the future of our young people. That is why this anthology is so important. In it, fifty-two creators of books for children and young adults share their voices to offer wisdom, encouragement, love, support and HOPE!
We are so proud to be a part of an outstanding team of diverse authors and illustrators to produce a book for this time.”
2019 HONOR TITLE FOR OLDER READERS

‘IT’S HEARTBREAKING’ AUTHORS CRITICIZE REMOVAL OF 200 BOOKS FROM AN ILLINOIS PRISON LIBRARY

Last week, Illinois Newsroom reported on the removal of more than 200 books from the shelves of a college in prison program’s library inside the Danville Correctional Center in east-central Illinois….
Several authors and editors of books that were removed from the EJP library agreed to speak to Illinois Newsroom. They include: Jacqueline Woodson, author of “Visiting Day” — a children’s book about visiting a parent in prison.
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THE QUILTS THAT MADE AMERICA QUAKE: HOW FAITH RINGGOLD FOUGHT THE POWER WITH FABRIC

The 88-year-old isn’t just a successful artist: she’s an author, activist and cultural icon. Her career has been prolific and diverse; she’s worked across 16 different media. A survey of her work spanning 50 years is about to open at the Serpentine in London, her first in a European arts institution.
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DAVID KHERDIAN AND NONNY HORGOGIAN TO SPEND AN EVENING WITH THEIR NEW NEIGHBORS IN BLACK MOUNTAIN

Kherdian has earned critical acclaim throughout his writing career, which has spanned nearly 70 years, and is perhaps best known for his 1979 biography of his mother, “The Road from Home.” Hogrogian is the recipient of two Caldecott Medals, awarded annually to the illustrator of the year’s “most distinguished American picture book for children.”
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LOCAL AUTHOR, ILLUSTRATOR CREAT FUN PICTURE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

Park not only creates a sweet family tale, she layers it with the beauty of culturally and racially mixed parents. That helps us learn the differences between Eastern and Western dragons, a topic seldom explored, while illustrator Reinhardt conveys the story in her fanciful art.
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Q & A WITH THE MIGHT OF ANGELS AUTHOR ANDREA DAVIS PINKNEY

What do you hope young readers will take away from this story?
A: (From author Andrea Davis Pinkney) We all have times when the road ahead is uncertain, when people are ridiculing you, and when you feel alone, or scared or sad. Dawnie Rae Johnson shows us that even in the darkest times, we can hold our heads up, and with the support of loving family members and good friends, we can walk ahead, one step at a time.